No one, not any one...

Question

Could you tell me if I can change the sentence 1) below into 2), 3), 4), and 5) with the same meaning?

1) No one can tell another person how he should spend his free time, any more than how he ought to breath.

2) Anyone cannot tell another person how he should spend his free time, any more than how he ought to breath.

3) One cannot tell another person how he should spend his free time, any more than how he ought to breath.

4) Anyone tell another person how he should spend his free time, no more than how he ought to breath.

5) One tell another person how he should spend his free time, no more than how he ought to breath.

Thanks a lot!

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

The spelling is breathe.

Only #1 and #3 are possible constructions.

H M · Answer

Thanks a lot for your reply!

I've heard that "no more a than b" can be said in "not a any more than b"... and I think vice versa.

If #3 is possible, how I can change it into "no more a than b" form??
Or in this case, it's impossible?

Could you tell me??

Mister Micawber · Answer

H MIf #3 is possible, how I can change it into "no more a than b" form??

One can no more tell another person how he should spend his free time, than how he ought to breath.

H M · Answer

Thanks a lot for your reply! :-)

Could you tell me why "one" cannot be replaced with "anyone"?

I mean,

Anyone can no more tell another person how he should spend his free time, than how he ought to breath.

Thank you!

Mister Micawber · Answer

H MCould you tell me why "one" cannot be replaced with "anyone"?

It is a negative or question word. You could use 'someone'.

H M · Answer

I got it.

Thank you! :-)

H M · Answer

I have another question now.

Could you tell me if this sentence below is possible??

One can tell another person no more how he should spend his free time than how he ought to breath.

Thank you!

Mister Micawber · Answer

Strangely, though your structure is better, a native speaker would do this:

One can no more tell another person how he should spend his free time than how he ought to breathe.

Please learn how to spell 'breathe'. I seem to be wasting my breath.

H M · Answer

Thanks a lot for the way native speakers would tell!
And thanks too for correcting the spelling of "breathe"!
Now I've learnt how to spell "breathe" so that I don't waste your time any more... sorry about that!

No one, not any one...

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